AV Receiver Buyer's Guide
An AV receiver (AVR) is popularly considered the brain behind the home theater system. It is the processor of all the audio and video components and signals. An AVR is the hub where everything is organized and routed to the various sound and video outputs for your entertainment pleasure.
A good quality AV receiver is essential to any home theater system. With so many brands, models, and functions available, knowing which one is best can be tricky. In this guide, we’ll help you pick the best AVR for your needs.
How to Choose the Best AV Receiver for Your Home Theater
Consider the following key factors as a starting point in choosing an AV receiver.
Type of Receiver
Before you even start looking, determine whether your receiver is for music only or television (or both). If you are connecting the receiver to stereo speakers for music only, what you're looking for is a stereo receiver. For home theater system surround sound, or for dual-purpose music and movies, make sure it is an AV (audio/video) receiver.
Space
Receivers can be bulky and need enough ventilation space to prevent overheating. AVRs are much larger than stereo receivers due to the increased number of components they house. Allow 20 inches for depth when considering where you are going to place the receiver. Keep in mind that you will need a sturdy shelf or cabinet. A plastic or fragile glass shelf won’t cut it.
It is recommended to leave at least 6 inches above the receiver for ventilation. Keeping it cool will extend its lifespan. If you are tight on space you can additionally get a fan kit to keep the air circulation optimal.
Connections
Simply put, the more connectivity your receiver offers, the better. Not only do you want to be able to connect all the gadgets you have now, but you want to future-proof your home theater equipment.
New devices and gadgets will eventually be added to your home theater system functions. You want to make sure there is space and functionality for them. A minimum of 4 HDMI inputs is highly recommended. This way you can connect a cable box, game console, Blu-ray player, and another input for future additions.
Is your AV receiver Compatible?
There are important features to look for in your new AVR to ensure it works with television sets manufactured recently as well as future versions. You also want to make sure your video devices such as Apple TV, Roku, and game consoles are compatible. To do this, look for the following:
4K Video Switching
4K switching is about connecting multiple 4K-capable devices to one display through your AV receiver. Even if you don’t have a 4K TV now, you will most likely have one in the future. This will ensure you can hook up any video sources, like Apple TV and a Blu-ray player.
Dolby Atmos Compatibility
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are surround sound formats designed to make your home theater audio more impressive and immersive by projecting sound upwards. Most new AVRs can play both formats, but you'll need a dedicated set of upward-firing speakers to take advantage of the effect.
HDR Formats
HDR formats are high-dynamic-range video formats that offer more "pop" to the image through visual processing. This means you will have a larger brightness and color range than standard formats. You want to ensure your receiver is equipped to handle the major HDR formats: namely, HDR10 and Dolby Vision. This will, once again, help to future-proof your receiver for new technology.
As a side note: HDR10+ is often touted as a competitor to Dolby Vision, but this format is almost universally exclusive to Samsung TVs for the time being. As well, there's another HDR standard called HLG, but it's far from commonplace and is seen as a developing technology.
Built-in Wi-Fi
Connecting your system to your home network is what allows you to stream movies and watch YouTube on your television. If you are unable to run the necessary wires through walls for connectivity, going wireless is a fantastic and convenient alternative.
Check the Number of Channels
Think of one channel as one speaker. You want to ensure your receiver has plenty of channels for all the speakers you have and those you plan on adding. If you want surround sound, opt for a receiver with at least five to seven channels.
You may see the number of channels expressed as x.1 or x.2 in most cases. The "x" in this case represents the number of audio channels supported by the receiver, while the number after the decimal point represents how many subwoofers can be connected. For example, a 5.1-channel receiver means 5 channels (typically front left, front right, center, rear left, rear right) along with one subwoofer.
More recently, higher-end receivers feature channels expressed with three numbers such as 7.2.2. The first two digits are equivalent to a 7.2 system (7 channels, 2 subwoofers), but what's the third? It refers to the number of Dolby Atmos channels (upward-firing) supported by the receiver. In this case, this theoretical receiver offers a left and right upward firing component.
Bonus AV Receiver Features You Shouldn’t Miss
Multi-room AV Receiver
Some receivers allow you to watch two different shows on different TVs at the same time. You could also have your home theater on in one room while streaming music in several other rooms.
Multi-room (or multi-zone) AV receivers that come with their own built-in wireless capability are controllable through an app. Alternatively, you can add wireless capabilities to almost any sound system by connecting a small external device.
AV Controller App
This is an incredibly handy detail to check for. Many of the latest home theater receivers are equipped with a full function remote control App feature. This means you can have control of your entire system and the audio from your iPhone, tablet, or computer from any room in the house.
AV Receiver FAQ
Q: When should you upgrade an AV receiver?
A: If you have a home theater receiver older than 5 years, it is recommended that you upgrade. It might still work just fine, but once you experience the newest sound and video quality improvements you won’t regret it. You also want to upgrade your AV receiver if you get a new television. This way you can take full advantage of all the new audio, video, and control features.
Q: Does an AV receiver come with a warranty?
A: When you purchase your receiver from an authorized dealer, it generally comes with a 1- or 2-year warranty. You will get support from the manufacturer as well as phone and email support from the dealer. Check before you make the purchase that the seller is an authorized dealer of the product you are buying. It's tempting to save a few bucks up front, but purchasing from an unauthorized reseller will mean your warranty is invalid.
Q: Do more expensive AV receivers sound better?
A: In general, a better-quality receiver will cost you more. Better quality means a better power supply and more robust components, essentially resulting in better sound and less distortion. In some cases, more expensive AVRs use better parts which gives your product a longer lifespan. It is, however, always best to compare the specs in conjunction with the price before making your final decision.